William Batista on Corinthians U20 defeat, reasons for slump | OneFootball

By Mirella Ramos / Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians were beaten 4-1 by Athletico-PR, coming from behind, on the afternoon of last Wednesday (29), at Fazendinha, in a match valid for the Brazilian Under-20 Championship. After the game, head coach William Batista assessed the team’s performance and highlighted the difference between the two halves as decisive for the result.

According to the coach, the first half was balanced, with chances for both sides. However, the picture changed after halftime, when the opponent managed to impose its style of play.

Photo: ©Rodrigo Gazzanel / Ag. Corinthians

“The first half was balanced, we scored, they scored, we had a chance in the last play of the first half with Luizinho, they also had a chance. So, the level of chances was fairly even in the first half, we could have gone into the break 2-1 up, they could also have gone into the break 2-1 up. Then, in the second half, they were better than us. I think they managed to do what they wanted from the game, attack the space in behind and win the second ball. That made the difference for them to build the scoreline the way they did,” he said.

The coach also pointed to specific aspects of the match that contributed to the negative result, including the opponent’s efficiency in finishing and the black-and-white side’s difficulties in controlling the game in the second half.

“I think there was also some fortune for their player, who got his shot right on the first and third goals. And then, adding everything the game was, a more direct game with first and second balls, us trying to press and losing the second ball a bit more. We need to improve on that so that, in this type of game like today’s, we don’t suffer as much as we did. In the second half, they were superior, and I think they deserved to win the game the way they did,” he added.

Another point highlighted by William Batista was the squad’s physical wear and tear due to the recent run of matches and travel, which, according to him, affected the team’s performance over the course of the match.

“It’s about working so we can keep going; we’re in fifth place. We know how difficult the championship is. We’re on a good run away from home. They were two very difficult matches. We broke a four-year taboo against São Paulo, since 2022, without beating São Paulo. We hadn’t won a derby since 2023. A difficult game, as you said, with one player less, which weighed a bit today as well. We kept stretching the rope during the second half. And I think we played in Criciúma, traveled, played on Sunday after three days. Today again, after another three days. I think the second half weighed on us a bit because of that too. And then the score ended up the way it did,” he explained.

Despite the result, Corinthians remain among the top teams in the competition, sitting in fifth place. The coach also commented on the team’s performances at home and away, emphasizing the overall balance of the campaign.

“We are the best away team in the championship, because we’ve played five matches and earned a lot of points from those five games. And no opponent that has played five away matches has won as many points as we have. So we end up being the best away team in the championship. So I can’t cling too much, maybe, to this idea of playing at home and away, because otherwise I’ll believe every match has the same story. I believe every match has its own particular story. Today, unfortunately, we wanted to come away with the win and we couldn’t. Of course it bothers us, we want to bring results here at Parque São Jorge. I played many times against Corinthians, and this was always a difficult place to play. And I want this place to be difficult again with me in charge, so that we can do that and have an even higher points tally in the competition. Today we could have come in as leaders with 21 points if we had taken six points from the last games that we lost here to Fortaleza and Athletico today. But, on the other hand, I think our away campaign gives us balance,” he analyzed.

Finally, William reinforced his confidence in the work being done and highlighted the importance of a quick response from the team in the upcoming matches.

“We are very convinced about what we have been doing. Our message, when we win and when we lose, is that what defines us is not defeat or victory, what defines us is conduct. How seriously we take things day by day, approaching them with commitment, trying to make Corinthians feel represented by all of us. Obviously, we were not the best in the country because we broke that derby taboo, and today we are not the worst either. Defeat hurts, I said that we have to lick our wounds today and tomorrow so that we can come back for the next training session and have a good week to face Fluminense here,” he concluded.

Corinthians return to the field in the next round of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship, when they will face Fluminense at Fazendinha, looking to bounce back in the competition.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.